Building construction and insulation dam therefor



H. B. PlNKLEY 3,160,987

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND INSULATION DAM THEREFOR Dec. 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 20, 1965 H. B. PIN KLEY Dec. 15, 1964 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND INSULATION DAM THEREFOR Filed Max ch 20, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 II IVENTOR BY SIM M 7%'5 United States Patent Ofilice Patented Dec. 15, 1964 3,150,987 BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND INSULATIGN DAM THEREFUR Herbert B. Pinkley, Box 127, Warrenviile, lll. Filed Mar. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 266,651 13 Claims. (Cl. 50-67) This invention relates to a new and improved insulation dam for building construction.

Building construction has been undergoing a constant evolution. More particularly we are concerned with the insulation of buildings. Insulation is now being employed not only to prevent heat losses but also to prevent cold losses inasmuch as air conditioning in hot weather is becoming more and more common. As a general rule the ceilings of houses are insulated with a particulate or granular material which may be blown into the. space between the ceiling andthe roof of the house or other building. Unless there are'v'ents in thereof the space between the ceiling and the-roof is filled with a stagnant airwhich becomes excessively hot in warm weather and excessively cold in cold weather. The entrapment of hot air in verywarm weather creates a fire hazard and also impairs effective cooling of the room beneath the ceiling by the usual air conditioning units. Various types of vents are provided for inserting into the top side of the roof to give some ventilation to this space between the ceiling and the roof. However, most of these top-side vents undesirably permit some rain or snow to enter into the interior of the house between the ceiling and the roof. More recently the roof vents are being put into the underside of overhanging boxed-in eaves so that there is no opening to the top side of the roof but ventilation is obtained by air moving upwardly through the vents on one side of the house, passing upwardly therethrough between the roof rafters and down the other side for exit through the vents on the other side of the house. a As it was stated initially, construction methods are constantly changing and means to speed up this construction are constantly being made. As soon as one craftsman finishes his job on a series of homes the succeeding craftsman is called in to perform his service on that home or series of homes The insulator to fill house attics or that space between the ceiling and the roof with suitable insulation is called in just as soon as the house is under roof and at least the rough ceiling is in. The present day insulator usually employs pneumatic means for distributing the pulverulent insulation material and usually from a point inthe center of the house, probably a trap door leading from the interior of the house to the attic. With a nozzle on the end of a flexible hose the insulator directs his material outwardly to the corners of the house even to the extent of directing his stream of insulation material at the roof so that it impinges against the roof and-drops down into the space between the ceiling joists; 'When the insulation material has reached its desired depth uniformly over the entire ceiling the process is halted. Of course if externalvents had been provided on the topside ofthe roof, there would be no interference with ventilation of the attic space. However, with the present trend of placing the vents in the undersides of the overhanging eaves there is a good chancethat the insulation blown from a nozzle in the center of the building will continue on into the boxed-in eaves and thus block or clog the vents.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide an insulation dam or baflle which will prevent clogging of attachment between spaced apart adjacent roof rafters opposite each of the vents placed in the underside of overhanging boXed-in caves to thus bar blown insulation from clogging the vents in the overhanging eaves.

Another and further important object of this invention is the provision of a sheetdike bafile member performed to fit snugly between adjacent rafters in a building roof construction and have sealing engagement at one end thereof with a wall plate.

An important object of this invention is to provide a deflector for the passage of air to and through an attic space without distributing the insulation.

Another important object of this invention to provide a device which will shield the insulation material in a building attic, especially that critical portion disposed over the wall plate and acting to insulate the outer edges of the inner ceiling, from venting air directed upwardly through vents in overhanging eaves.

Another and still further important object of this device is the provision of a combined insulation dam and air deflector for barring incoming venting air from shifting any previously positioned insulation material, especially in the area of the outside wall and yet providing adequate passageway between the insulation and the roof for the passage of venting air through building attics.

Still another important object of this invention is to provide a combination insulation dam and air deflector which isscored for sidetab bending to permit bending in either direction depending upon which side of the ceiling joists the roof rafters are placed in a building construction.

Still another important object of this invention is to supply a pre-cut fibrous sheet into a particular form with scores thereon and at least one transverse slit to permit bending of side and end'tabs for ready attachment to the inner sides of adjacent roof rafters, a ceiling joist, and a wall plate.

apart wall studs.

Another and still further important object of this invention is to equip a darn for roof insulation with a lip at the inner end bent at an acute angle with respect to the body of the dam to thereupon engage the top surface of a wall plate and without any fastening means of that lip to the plate effectively bar the passage of insulation to the overhanging eaves.

Other and further important objects and advantages will become apparent from the disclosures in the following specification and accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an unfinished building roof with the insulation dam of this invention mounted in place. I

FIGURE 2- is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIGURE 1'.

FIGURE 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through a completed roof with the insulation dam of this invention in place and'insulation material being delivered to the attic space between the ceiling and roof.

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the insulation dam of this invention formed for insertion into a building roof.

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the insulation dam of FlGURl-E 4 prior to bending and forming thereof.

As shown in the drawings:

The reference-numeral 10 indicates generally spaced Only the upper portions of the studs have been shown inasmuch as the present invention is concerned with the roof construction of a-building and its insulation. It should, of coursepbe'understood that thestuds are carried on'fou'ndation means at their lower ends. The 2" by 4" studs 10 are capped with a plate 11 comprising two 2" by 4"splaced one on top o f the other. The plate llspa'ns the tops of the studs 10 and constitutes the means of support for the building roof.

art's? A plurality of ceiling joists 12 are positioned at spaced intervals along the plate 11 and extend across to a similar plate on an opposite wall (not shown). The ceiling joists are preferably 2" by 6" or 2" by 8" boards depending upon the length of span necessary to reach an opposite plate and how much load the ceiling and roof is to carry. Angled roof rafters 13 are also supported on the wall plate 11 and are disposed preferably adjacent each of the ceiling joists 12 as shown in FIGURE 1. These spaced apart roof rafters 13 are preferably 2" by 6" or 2" by 8" planks comparable to the ceiling joists 12.

The building with which we are concerned is provided with overhanging eaves designated generally as 14. The eaves are formed by outward and downward extensions 15 of the roof rafters 13. A facia board 16 abuts each outer end of the downward extensions 15 and is disposed in a vertical position to thus enclose the outer ends of the overhanging eaves 14. An undercover 17 completes the enclosure of the boxed-in eaves 14. Of course the top of the overhanging eaves will be covered by a roof to be subsequently described.

A vent or open grill 18 is provided in the undercover 17 of the boxed-in eaves and it is through this vent and other similar vents disposed at spaced apart intervals in the undercover of the overhanging eaves that ventilation of the building attic is accomplished as will subsequently be described. The boxed-in overhanging eaves 14 are braced by horizontal brace members 19 extending from the wall studs 10 outwardly to the outer ends of the roof rafters and their extension 15.

A roof sheathing material either in the form of plywood sheets or a tongue and groove planking encloses the top of the building over the roof rafters 13. On the top of the sheathing is provided roofing shingles 21 to thereupon seal the roof against rain or snow. As best shown in FIGURE 3 an inner wall 22 is carried on the studs 10 and a ceiling 23 is carried on the underside of the ceiling joists 12.

For convenience, the reference numeral 24, has been used to designate all nails used in the fastening of the various planks and board members together to make a rigid building construction. For example, see the nails 24 in FIGURE 1 joining the ceiling joists to the roof rafters. Similarly in FIGURE 3 nails 24 are shown joining the brace member 19 to the studs 10 and at the other end of the brace, nails 24 are utilized to fasten the brace to the outer end of the roof rafters 13 adjacent the ends of their outer extensions 15.

The insulation dam or battle of this invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 25. The insulation dam, substantially rectangular in cross section, is shown in detail in FIGURES 4 and and is further shown in its assembly in a building in FIGURES l, 2 and 3. Looking particularly to FIGURE 5 the dam member 25 is shown in the flat prior to any bending or forming which is necessary before applying the dam to a building roof structure. The insulation dam or bafiie may be made of paper or fiber board or any sheet material and including without limitation metals and plastics. The main body or flat portion of the dam is shown at 26. A rear lip 27 is the narrowest portion of the dam member and substantially approximates a width equal to the space between the inner side of one roof rafter and extending to the inner side of an opposing ceiling joist. As best shown in FIG- URES 1, Sand 4 the lip 27 when bent at an acute angle relative to the flat body portion 26 is designated by the reference numeral 27a. The lip 27 or 27a in bent position is defined by-a score or bend line 27b as shown in FIG- URE 5. The lower' edge of the acutely bent lip or tab 27a is adapted to engage and have sealing contact with the top 28 of the plate 11. There is no physical means of fastening the lip to the plate 11. However, the acute angle position of the lip coupled with the anchoring of the remainder of the insulation dam prevents material such as a granular insulation from passing over the plate 11 and possibly clogging the vents 18 in the boxed-in eaves 14.

As further shown in FIGURE 5 one side of the rectangularly shaped flat body portion 26 is provided with an elongated lip or tab 29. As shown in FIGURE 4 the lip 29 is bent downwardly at substantially right angles relative to the body portion 26 and is identified as 29a. The lip 29, or in bent position 29a is bent about the longitudinally disposed score or bend line 29b as shown in FIG- URE 5. The bent lip 29a is adapted to abut and be fastened to the inner side of a roof rafter 13 which is disposed adjacent a ventilator grill 18 in the overhanging eaves 14.

On the opposite side of the flat form insulator dam as shown in FIGURE 5 there is a partial side lip 30 which lies parallel to the lip 29. Also on the other side of the dam is an inwardly offset short side lip 31 which isin effect a continuation of the lip 30 but for its inward dis= position thereof. A transversely inwardly extending slit 32 is provided between the adjoining ends of the lips 30 and 31. As shown in FIGURES 3 and the side lip 30 when bent at right angles to the flat body 26 is idtiti= fied by the reference numeral 30a. The lip or tab has been bent about a longitudinally extending score line 30b which lies parallel to the elongated score line 2911 on the opposite side of the insulation dam. The lip 30 is provided with a long bevel edge 33 at its end near the middle of the rectangular shaped dam.

When the lip 31 is bent at right angles to the flat body 26 it is identified as 31a as shown in FIGURES 2, 3 and 4. A score or bend line 31b is disposed parallel to the score lines 2% and 30b and facilitates the bending of the lip 31 to its right angle position. Further, the i11 ward slit 32 permits the bending of the lip 31 separately from the lip 30 and its extent determines the lateral off set between the tabs or lips 30 and 31. The lip 31 is equipped with a bevelled edge 34 at its end adjacent the lip 27 at the end of the dam member. On the opposite lip 29 there is a similarly bevelled edge 35. These oppositely disposed bevelled edges 34 and 35 flank the end or rear lip 27 as shown in FIGURE 5.

When the insulation dam is formed with its tabs 01 lips bent downwardly as shown in FIGURE 4 it is ready for insertion into a partially constructed Building such as shown in FIGURE 1. One such dam is preferably positioned adjacent each eave ventilator 18. As fifeviously stated a number of vent openings are used in a single building and they are provided at spaced intervals along the underside 17 of the overhanging eaves 14. The ventilators 18 are either in the form of grills or just openings through the undercover 17 and are dis posed preferably between any two side-by-side end por= tions 15 of the roof rafters 13. It is the object of the insulation darn 25 of this invention to prevent the clog ging of the ventilators 18 with blown insulation and also to provide a smooth uninterrupted path of travel fdt' ventilating air which enters into the underside of the ventilators 18 and passes air angularly upwardly across the smooth top surface 26 of the insulation deflector 25 and beneath the underside of the upwardly spaced roof sheathing 20 without disturbing the pre-positioned insulation such as shown in FIGURE 3. The tabs or lips 29a, 30a and 31a are fastened by means such as staples 36 to a permanent position in the building. The long side lip 29a is stapled to the interior of the roof rafter 13 which lies adjacent one side of a ventilator 18. The bevelled edge 35 is disposed substantially parallel to the top of the wall plate 11.

The lip 30a is fastened by means of staples 36 to the inside of the next adjacent roof rafter 13 such as clearly shown in FIGURE 3. This roof rafter flanks the other side of the ventilator 18. The bevelled edge 33 is parallel to and substantially abuts the top surface of aceiling joist 12 which is. also fastened of that same roof rafter 1-3.

The lip or tab 31a is offset inwardly the' length of the transverselycut slit 32 which corresponds to the width of the ceiling joist 12. The tab, 316: isv similarly fastened by staples 3.6 to the inner surface of the ceiling. joist 12. This fastening is. shown in. detail in FIG- URE 3 of the drawings. The bevelled. edge. 34 lies sub,- stantially parallel, with: the top ofthe plate '11 in a manner similar to the bevelled edge 35.. ofthe lip 29a. The bevelled ends 34. and 35 permit a greater latitude in the angular bending of the end lip 27a about its score or bend line 27b without physical interference with the side tabs. j

It should be understood that the combination dam and deflector 25 may be turned over and the tabs bent the to I the inner surface other way to accommodate roof rafters and ceiling joists which may be assembledin an arrangement opposite to that shown in these drawings. 7

As best shown in FIGURE 3 the end lip 27a is slightly longer than the lips 29a, 30a and 31a in order to facilitate its sealing contact with the upper surface 28 of the wall plate 11. The lip 27a is disposed toward the inside of the building at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the flat body portion 26 of the dam 25. Thus although there is no physical fastening of the lip 27a to the plate 11 the lip 27a is substantially affixed in sealing relationship relative to the top of the plate by reason of the fixed attachment of the side tabs 29a, 30a and 31a to the opposite insides ofadjacent roo-f rafters 13 and the included ceiling joists '12.

As best shown in FIGURE 3 an insulation nozzle 37 is shown delivering particulate insulation material 38 outwardly toward the side edges of the building. The insulation nozzle is preferably carried on the end of a flexible hose (not shown) extending from a source of insulation material so that the nozzle 37 may be manually directed as desired. Usually thenozzle is directed from a location in the center or near the center of the building through a trap door or the like (not shown) so that just prior to completion of the building the insulation may be put into the attic .space between the ceiling 23 and the roof sheathing 20 by such a pneu matic' gun or nozzle 37. The depth of insulation is usually confined to the height of the ceiling joists 12 but this is not mandatory and may be made any depth desired to accomplish the insulation required. In filling the outer corners of the attic the, nozzle is directed toward the overhanging eaves 14, and, but for the dams 25,-,located adjacent each ventilator or grill member 13,

the' grills inthe overhanging eaves would be ,covered with and blocked by the particulate insulation material. However with, the dams 25 in the position as shown insulation is trapped at the Wall plate 11 by impinging against the acute angle disposed lip 27a and the underside of the fiat portion 26 of the dam. The disposition of the end lip 27a thus becomes increasingly important inasmuch as it would take a substantial force to cause the lip 27a to yield outwardly toward the overhanging eaves 27a. The required physical lifting of the dam to permit the relatively long end lip 27a to yield outwardly toward the overhanging eaves 14 and thus permit escape of insulation material to the vicinity of the ventilator grill 18 is practically impossible because of the firm anchoring of the darn at its sides by the plurality of staples 36 fastening each of the tabs 29a, 30a and 31a to the roof rafters and ceiling joist. s

.The insulation dam 25 in addition to confining the insulation material to the space directly above the ceiling 23 constitutes a path 39' between the top of the dam 25 and the underside of the roof" sheathing 20. Thus, passage of ventilating air follows the arrows 40 upwardly through the grills 18 and thence through the overhanging boxed-in eaves 14 and thereupon angularly upwardly delivery into the central attic space above the insulation material 38. The insulation dams 25 of this invention thus perform the dual functions of guarding against particulate insulation material filling the eaves ventilators and thereafter providing clear passages for ventilating air over theinsulation dam and beneath the roof for uninterrupted entry into attic spaces.

I amaware that numerous details of construction may be varied throughout a wide range without departing from the principles disclosed herein and I therefore do not propose limiting the patent granted hereon otherwise than as necessitated by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a building of the type having a wall with a top plate, spaced-apart inclined roof rafters, spaced apart ceiling joists fastened to. lower portions of said roof rafters, said roof rafters and said ceiling joists carried on said wall plate, overhanging boxed-in eaves formed at the lower outer ends of said roof rafters outside of said wall plate, said eaves having vents in the underside thereof, and including an insulation dam adjacent a vent in the eaves comprising a generally rectangularly shaped flat sheet, an end tab bent angularly relative to said flat sheet and lying in abutting sealing relation to the top of said wall plate and spanning the space between adjacent spaced roof rafters and ceiling joists, the flat sheet spacedinwardly from and parallel to one end thereof inclined upwardly from said end tab and positioned between adjacent rafters and spaced below the tops thereof, side tabs bent angularly relative to said'fiat sheet, and means securing said side tabs in abutting and sealing relation with said roof rafters and ceiling joists whereby said dam between said side tabs spans the space between adjacent roof rafters and ceiling joists.

2. In a building as set forth in claim 1 in which said end tab is disposed at an acuteangle with the flat sheet and projects inwardly away from said overhanging eaves.

3. In a building as set forth in claim '1 in which said side tabs are disposed at substantially right angles relative to the fiat sheet.

4. In a building as set forth in claim 1 in which the side tabs on one side of the flat sheet include a first tab and a second inwardly offset tab, said side tab on the other side of the flat sheet abuttingly engaging the inner surface of one roof rafter, said first tab abuttingly engaging the inner surface of an adjacent spaced apart roof rafter, and said second tab abuttingly engaging the inner surface of a ceiling joist.

5. In a building as set forth in claim 4 in which the flat sheet has an inwardly extending slit between the first and second tabs.

6. In a building as set forth in claim 5 in which the side tabs are'disposedat substantially right angles relative to the flatsheet and the end tab is disposed at an acute angle relative to the flat sheet and extending inwardly toward the roof rafters away from the overhanging eaves.

7. In a building as set forth in claim 5 in which said side tab is bevelled at its end adjacent to the end tab,

said first tab is bevelled at its end adjacent the slit between the first and second tabs so it may lie on top of said ceiling joist to which said second tab is fastened, and said second tab is bevelled at its end adjacent the end tab.

s. Ina building as set forth in claim 7 in which said end tab is slightlylonger than said side tabs.

9. An insulation dam and air deflector comprising a generally rectangularly shaped fiat sheet, a score line and defining a bendable end tab, a score line spacedinwardly from and parallel to one side thereof and defining a bendable side tab, ascoreline spaced inwardly from and parallel to the other side thereof and extending for only a portion of the length of said sheet and defining jacent the end of said first tab, and a score line offset inwardly of the sheet from the score line of the first tab and disposed parallel to the side of said sheet and the score line of the first tab and defining a bendable second tab.

10. An insulation dam and air deflector as set forth in claim 9 in which said end tab is slightly longer than the side tabs.

11. An insulation dam and air deflector as set forth in claim 9 in which said side tabs are bevelled adjacent their ends toward the end tab.

12. An insulation dam and air deflector as set forth in claim 9 in which said end tab is slightly longer than the side tabs and each of said side tabs is bevelled adjacent their ends toward said end tab.

13. In a building of the type having a Wall with a top plate, spaced apart inclined roof rafters, spaced apart ceiling joists fastened to lower portions of said roof rafters, and said ceiling joists carried on said Wall plate, overhanging boxed-in eaves formed at the lower outer ends of said roof rafters out-side of said wall plate, said eaves having vents in, the underside thereof, and including an insulation dam adjacent a vent in the eaves comprising a generally rectangularly shaped fiat sheet, one end of said sheet bent angularly relative to said flat sheet and lying in abuttingsealing relation to the top of 'said wall plate spanning the space between adjacent spaced roof rafters and ceiling joists, the flat sheet inclined upwardly from said one end and positioned between adjacent rafters and spaced below the tops thereof, said darn above said one end spanning the space between adjacent roof rafters and ceiling joists, and means securing said dam in position between said roof rafters and ceiling joists.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,954,727 Katt et a1. Oct. 4, 1960 

1. IN A BUILDING OF THE TYPE HAVING A WALL WITH A TOP PLATE, SPACED APART INCLINED ROOF RAFTERS, SPACED APART CEILING JOISTS FASTENED TO LOWER PORTIONS OF SAID ROOF RAFTERS, SAID ROOF RAFTERS AND SAID CEILING JOISTS CARRIED ON SAID WALL PLATE, OVERHANGING BOXED-IN EAVES FORMED AT THE LOWER OUTER ENDS OF SAID ROOF RAFTERS OUTSIDE OF SAID WALL PLATE, SAID EAVES HAVING VENTS IN THE UNDERSIDE THEREOF, AND INCLUDING AN INSULATION DAM ADJACENT A VENT IN THE EAVES COMPRISING A GENERALLY RECTANGULARLY SHAPED FLAT SHEET, AN END TAB BENT ANGULARLY RELATIVE TO SAID FLAT SHEET AND LYING IN ABUTTING SEALING RELATION TO THE TOP OF SAID WALL PLATE AND SPANNING THE SPACE BETWEEN ADJACENT SPACED ROOF RAFTERS AND CEILING JOISTS, THE FLAT SHEET INCLINED UPWARDLY FROM SAID END TAB AND POSITIONED BETWEEN ADJACENT RAFTERS AND SPACED BELOW THE TOPS THEREOF, SIDE TABS BENT ANGULARLY RELATIVE TO SAID FLAT SHEET, AND MEANS SECURING SAID SIDE TABS IN ABUTTING AND SEALING RELATION WITH SAID ROOF RAFTERS AND CEILING JOISTS WHEREBY SAID DAM BETWEEN SAID SIDE TABS SPANS THE SPACE BETWEEN ADJACENT ROOF RAFTERS AND CEILING JOISTS. 